The list below describes the current forest certification situation in various regions, and explains what Stora Enso’s wood procurement units are doing in order to promote forest certification and mutual recognition.

• In Sweden, both PEFC and FSC are well established. Small-scale, private forest owners have generally opted for PEFC, while owners of large forest areas have mainly preferred to use FSC. Currently about a third of private forest owners have certified their forests. The total share of certified forests is about 56%. Stora Enso Wood Supply Sweden holds FSC and PEFC group certificates for private forest owners as well as a PEFC group certificate for contractors.
• In Finland more than 95% of the forest area is already covered by FFCS, which is endorsed by PEFC. In 2004, Stora Enso started to test FSC in Finland by giving forest owners the opportunity to join a pilot group certification project.
• In Russia, the share of certified forests is still small – only about 0.5% of the country’s total forested area is currently certified to FSC. A national Russian forest certification system is expected to be set up under the umbrella of the PEFC system. Stora Enso offers training to its wood suppliers and uses a supplier ranking system in order to encourage suppliers to certify their forest lease areas. Interest in forest certification has consequently been increasing. Stora Enso has been granted FSC certification for a lease area in the Pskov Region in northwestern Russia. During 2005–2007 Wood Supply Russia aims to get other forest lease areas certified as well.
• In Continental Europe, Stora Enso’s wood supply organisation operates in 17 countries, each with different amounts of certified forest and a variety of certification systems. In the major procurement areas the share of certified forests varies from 99% in Austria to 21% in France. By implementing chain-of-custody systems the Group signals to the wood supply market that it wants to purchase certified wood. Stora Enso Wood Supply Continental Europe also encourages forest owners and suppliers to certify their forestland and to obtain chain-of-custody certificates.
• In the Baltic countries, state-owned forests in Estonia and Latvia have been certified according to FSC. All three Baltic countries have also established PEFC working groups, and the Latvian PEFC scheme has already been endorsed. In Estonia and Latvia, Stora Enso is a member of national FSC initiatives. The Group also participates in the PEFC system and standard development groups in Estonia and Lithuania.
• In Portugal, Celbi’s plantations were reviewed for FSC certification, and are expected to be certified in the beginning of 2005. Celbi has also provided a pilot area to test the Portuguese PEFC standard, which should then be endorsed by the PEFC. When the endorsement process is completed, Celbi will be able to apply for the PEFC certificate.
• In North America, several forest certification systems are applied. In Canada, Stora Enso's Port Hawkesbury's managed forestlands and wood supply operations are dual certified according to the SFI and CSA systems. In the USA, Stora Enso Wood Supply U.S. is involved in the American Tree Farm System. The land holdings of Wood Supply U.S. are covered by certification under SFI and are also in the process of obtaining certification under FSC.
• In Brazil, the process of obtaining forest certification for Veracel’s plantations (jointly owned by Stora Enso and Aracruz) has started. In the first phase the system to be implemented is CERFLOR, a member of PEFC. As experience is accumulated, preparedness for FSC will be assessed.

Active involvement in international forums

Stora Enso is actively involved in international forums promoting the mutual recognition of forest certification systems – through the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, as co-chair of the Mutual Recognition Action Team; and through discussions within The Forest Dialogue, where Stora Enso has a representative on the steering committee.